Can Digital Tools Fix Bias in Mental Health Triage?
AI Summary
Digital technologies promise improved efficiency and access in mental health triage, offering faster identification and routing of people in need.
These tools carry pitfalls, notably risk of perpetuating or amplifying bias across algorithms and data, worsening inequities in care.
Addressing bias needs rigorous evaluation, transparency, diverse data sets, user involvement, and policy safeguards to ensure fair, equitable triage outcomes.
J Med Internet Res. 2026 May 28;28:e100947. doi: 10.2196/100947.
ABSTRACT
Recent advances in digital technologies hold both promise and potential pitfalls for mental health triage. In this News and Perspectives article, JMIR Correspondent Beth Rush reports on the issue of bias and the role of digital tools in the mental health context.
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